Drugs Offences

At DJMS solicitors, our team of expert lawyers regularly act for clients accused of all types of drug offences, from possession of cannabis to large-scale importation of Class A substances.

What are drug offences?

There are four main types of drug offences:

• Possession
• Supply
• Production
• Importation

Possession means being caught with illegal drugs, even if they aren’t yours. Possession with intent to supply is more serious and arises when you are caught with drugs that the police suspect you intend to supply to others. Those ‘others’ need only be your family and friends, and actual supply is not required – intention is enough to face conviction.

Supply includes dealing or sharing drugs, even with friends. You need not have been paid for the drugs to be guilty of supplying them.

Production is where you actively participate in the production of an illegal drug, for example, by making or growing it or providing the necessary premises or equipment.

Importation is the act of bringing a controlled drug into or taking a controlled drug out of the UK. The offence also includes conspiracy to import, meaning you can be charged for being part of a wider conspiracy to import or export drugs.

What is the sentence for drug charges?

The sentence for drugs charges depends on a variety of factors, including the class of drugs in question and the nature of the offence.

Drugs are divided into three classes depending on their potential for overall harm. The classes are as follows:

• Class A - includes drugs with the potential to cause most harm, like cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. Offences involving these drugs carry the most severe penalties.
• Class B - includes drugs such as cannabis, ketamine, and codeine.
• Class C - includes drugs like diazepam, laughing gas, and anabolic steroids.

The range of sentences for drug offences is broad. For example, a first offence for possessing cannabis where there are no aggravating factors may result in a warning. On the other hand, the maximum penalty for supplying a Class A drug, such as heroin, is life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

What defences are there to drug charges?

How we defend the drug charges against you depends on the unique circumstances of your case. For example, we might be able to establish that you did not know that you were carrying drugs or were unaware that the substance was a controlled drug. A common defence in possession with intent to supply cases is that the drugs were for personal use.

How can DJMS Solicitors help?

Drugs offences are viewed incredibly seriously by the law, and the social stigma attached to them has the potential to destroy your reputation, family relationships, and career. At DJMS, we are on your side. We will never judge you but will instead provide the expert legal advice and support you need, whenever you need it, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As soon as you get in touch with us to represent you, we’ll take immediate, decisive action to protect your position and defend your interests. We act for a wide range of clients facing drugs offence charges, including young offenders and those with mental health difficulties.

Depending on the nature of the drug offence, the police investigation might involve reviewing phone records, undertaking surveillance operations, and carrying out dawn raids. Deploying our years of experience in defending these cases, we will systematically review the prosecution’s evidence to identify any weaknesses that we can use to undermine their case. We’ll gather convincing evidence, including where necessary expert evidence, in support of your position and prepare a robust defence that gives you the best possible chance of avoiding prosecution, receiving a lenient sentence, or being acquitted.

Cases involving drug offences are robustly pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service alongside the National Crime Agency, so you need a team of specialist defence lawyers to vigorously fight your corner. With decades of experience and a proven track record in achieving out of court disposals and successfully defending clients accused of drug offences, we can help at each stage of a drug charge, from before arrest, through to the police station interview and at Court.

Get in touch with DJMS Solicitors

For more information or if you or a loved one require urgent advice and/or representation following allegations relating to drugs offences, please contact DJMS’ specialist team.